in 1984 where he continued with MDU until his retirement in 1997. After a 15-year battle with Parkinson’s and 10 days shy of his 87th birthday, our beloved James “Jim” Rowe passed into the loving arms of our Lord Jesus on Dec. 13, 2021.
On Dec. 23, 1934, Leslie and Erma Rowe welcomed their first son to the world, James Clifford Rowe. He was later joined by a sister, Jean, and a brother, Jerry. As a young boy during the summers, he enjoyed working on his Uncle Elmer’s farm east of Scobey. He also enjoyed both bull and saddle bronc riding. Rodeos were a fun pastime for him.
Jim graduated from Wolf Point High School in 1953. He then attended college in both Wahpeton, N.D., and Havre, Mont. In 1956, Jim was drafted by the Army and spent two years serving our country in Germany.
After leaving the Army, Jim worked for Montana State Highway Department.
One snowy night on a visit home, Jim went into Butzies and from across the room saw a beautiful young woman bowling, who would end up not even a year later his wife. On June 27, 1959, Jim married the love of his life, Patricia Hoffman, at the Methodist Church in Culbertson, Mont.
They made their first home in Malta, Mont., where their first child, a daughter, Paula Jean was born. They then moved to Lincoln, Mont. They decided to leave the state department and move to his uncle’s farm east of Scobey. During this move, their first son, Larry Warren was born. They lived on this farm for three years before Jim started working for Nash Brothers. They then moved to Redstone, Mont., for three years where their last child, a son, Steven James, was born. From there, they moved to Four Buttes, Mont., for one year.
In 1967, they moved to Wolf Point, Mont., where he worked for Montana-Dakota Utilities as a lineman. In 1969, they moved to Poplar, Mont., where he was the district representative for MDU. They raised their family in Poplar before leaving and moving to Culbertson, Mont., After watching his grandson’s grow up in Culbertson and Poplar, they decided to move to Billings where they watched their one and only granddaughter grow up.
Jim was active with the American Legion, Chamber of Commerce and Lions Club.
He served as mayor of Poplar and was directly involved in fundraising for community projects needed in Poplar.
Jim coached both his sons in baseball starting with Little League all the way through to Legion baseball. He was in charge of the fireworks stand that raised money for the Babe Ruth Baseball program, plus may other fundraising projects for the baseball program. As an added bonus he also coached his grandsons Chad and Shaun in their baseball program. Jim also served as the State A Legion Baseball Commissioner for many years.
Jim was proceeded in death by his parents, Leslie and Erma.
He is survived by his wife, of 62 years, Patricia; daughter, Paula (Dallas) Dehner; sons, Larry and Steve Rowe; his grandchildren, Eugene Culbertson, James Rowe, Chad Dehner, Shaun Dehner and Faith Rowe; his sister, Jean Hekkel; brother, Jerry Rowe; and numerous nieces and nephews.
His sense of humor and wonderful wit will be greatly missed.
A memorial service will be held at a later date in Culbertson, Mont.
(Paid Obituary)
